"Balm-De Balm"

(Ba Muoi Ba)

Original members of 33rd Transportation Company,
1962

Pilots of the 33rd at high altitude training
program at Stead AFB in Nevada(Reno area, closed 1966) prior to
deployment to RVN. MAJ. Joseph Henderson, CO of 33rd, squats in
front row with USAF instructors.(1962)

IN THE BEGINNING......

Note--Much of the following information courtesy
of Ralph B. Young, author of "Army Aviation in Vietnam 1961-1963,
An Illustrated History of Unit Insignia, Aircraft Camouflage and
Markings", published by The Huey Company, Inc., P.O. Box
625, Ramsey, NJ 07446-0625

Deployment to "Destination---Unknown"

The 33rd was alerted for deployment to S.E. Asia
two times. The first alert occurred on 6 Mar 62 but was delayed
until the second alert on 18 Apr 62. At the time the unit was
at Ft. Ord, CA. The main body departed CA by C-121 on 10 Sep 62
and flew to Saigon. The aircraft were shipped to Saigon on the
USNS Croatan and arrived 18 Sep 62. The Military Assistance
Command, Vietnam (MACV) had estimated that 8-10 weeks would be
needed for the unit to become operational. However, it was accomplished
in a little over two weeks. MAJ Henderson recalls "We had
no assigned area but ranged from Da Nang in the north to the 93rd's
area in the South".

33rd and 81st Transportation Companies. From
the look of the terrain to left

of the stern, ship is in Hawaii where the
81st was stationed.(Aug 62)

(Photo courtesy John Ness)

Looking to the East somewhere on the high
seas of the Pacific Ocean aboard

the USNS Croatan en route to "Destination--Unknown."
(Aug 62)

(Photo courtesy John Ness)

CH-21C, s/n 52-8642 being readied on the flight
deck of USNS Croatan on

18 Sep 62. The aircraft is painted in overall
Gloss Olive Drab with the

Army's standard high visibility markings.
The cargo door would be removed as

soon as the aircraft reached Bien Hoa Air
Base.(62)

(US Army PhotoCourtesy Ralph Young)

It is interesting to note that the 33rd had been
ordered to give up all 20 of their CH-21's at Ft. Ord to several
units who deployed prior to the 33rd.(8th, 57th and 93rd). Then
when alerted for their own deployment, MAJ Henderson had to gather
20 replacements from around the US. As a result, most of the H-21's
arriving by ship had high visibility markings which had to be
painted over in gloss olive drab and toned down markings. Below
is a grid showing the serial numbers of the 20 CH-21's that were
deployed to Vietnam in 1962. This list was reconstructed by Bob
Brandt who was the CO of the 573rd Maintenance Detachment at the
time of deployment and is subject to change as more information
becomes available.

51-1881

51-1883

52-8615

52-8642

52-8644

55-2081

55-2119

55-2138

55-2140

55-2148

55-2156

55-2651

55-2657

55-4141

55-4154

55-4212**

56-2028

56-2132

56-2139

56-2143

** (Tim Lang's ship)

The Vietnam service of the 33rd Trans. was from
Sep 62-June 63. When the unit was inactivated, all personnel,
assets and equipment of the 33rd were transferred to the successor
unit, the 118th Aviation Company(Air Mobile Light), along with
the attached 573rd Transportation Detachment.

The 33rd's CO, MAJ Joseph E. Henderson assumed command
of the unit on 1 Nov 60 and was the only commander of the 33rd
to serve in Vietnam. The 33rd compiled an outstanding record under
MAJ. Henderson, and no personnel or aircraft were lost to the
enemy. Several aircraft were shot down, but were recovered successfully.MAJ.
Henderson and 11 other officers, WO and EM were awarded the Air
Medal for 25 completed missions, on 11 Apr 63 by LTC Hoffman,
CO of the 45th Trans Bn. CPT Ben E. Luck was the 33rd's Opns Officer.

Credit

All information above about the 33rd Transportation
Company was provided by Ralph B. Young from his book entitled:
"Army Aviation in Vietnam 1961-1963, An Illustrated History
of Unit Insignia Aircraft Camouflage and Markings"

Copyright 1999 by Ralph B. Young

The book is the first in a series of 10 books
about US Army Aviation in Vietnam from 1961-1973. It is an accurate
and factual book with fresh new photos and stories provided by
the men who were there, the men who made the history! Vol. 1 is
highly recommended.and is available from The Huey Company, Inc.,
P.O. Box 625, Ramsey, NJ 07446-0625.

Vol. 1 can also be purchased from your favorite
bookstore. Vol 2 is due to be released the fall of 2000, according
to the author. Ralph B.Young can be reached by e-mail at:

Thunderbird Officers' Club with parachute
on the ceiling and prior to completion. Looking from the

bar area to the entrance.(63)

(Photo courtesy Ben Luck)

Thunderbird Officers' Club Bar. CPT Frank
Radspinner? at bar and fella on right is playing a slot machine.
Anyone remember Vietnamese lady behind bar? Note the design of
the "Thunderbird" on the wall behind the bar. It resembles
the one on the Thunderbird Casino for which the unit was named.(Jun
1963)

(Photo courtesy Jack Phillabaum)

Another view of Thunderbird Lounge Patio

with Bien Hoa Air base runway across

the fence. (63)

(Photo courtesy Ben Luck)

Mess Officer Wally Larson's Diner.(63)

(Photo courtesy Ben Luck)

"Classy" serving line in Mess Officer

Wally Larson's Diner

Note Cook and 4 Vietnamese ladies

peeling potatoes.(63)

(Photo courtesy Ben Luck)

"Wally Larson's Girls" peeling
potatoes

in their red uniforms.(63)

(Photo courtesy Ben Luck)

Wash rack area and immersion heaters behind

"Wally's Diner."(63)

(Photo courtesy Ben Luck)

Motor Pool area of 118th Compound on Bien
Hoa Air Base in late 1963 during Monsoon season.

(Photo courtesy "Red" Sparling)

Gate entering the 33rd Trans.

Company Motor Pool.(62)

(Photo courtesy John Ness)

Working on the Thunderbird Lounge patio

which sat next to the Bien Hoa runway.(62)

(Photo courtesy John Ness)

Bien Hoa Air Base in the rainy season. (62)

(Photo courtesy Ben Luck)

Ben Luck on left and Doc Mears at

Chinese Restaraunt in Saigon.(62)

(Photo Courtesy Ben Luck)

Mission Planning for next day's mission in
Thunderbird Lounge.(62)

(Photo courtesy Ben Luck)

The original Thunderbird Lounge(62)

(Photo courtesy Ben Luck)

SPECIAL TRAINING

Vietnam definitely looked like a vast ocean
of water during the rainy season. Water could be seen as far as
the eye could see. Flying the CH-21 presented a concern that if
the aircraft went down in a river, rice paddy or the open sea,
the pilots needed to quickly "un-ass" through a window
because there was no door to pull the pins from or open.

Here we see members of the 33rd Trans. Co.
utilizing "Dilbert Dunker" and learning how to quickly
and safely unbuckle the harness and escape through the "window".
Note several things: the wrecker used to suspend the "Dilbert
Dunker"; the 93rd Med, 3/4T ambulance next to the two, oft
seen, bicycles; stretchers and oxygen.

The writing on the side of "Dilbert Dunker"
says, "Say Bud, have you seen a H-21 around here?" The
pool was a newly constructed swimming pool on the Bien Hoa Air
base. The water doesn't look too clear.....kinda green!

With the replacement of the CH-21 with the
UH-1B, this training ceased and the exact date unknown.

(June 1963)

(Photo courtesy Jack Phillabaum)

Personal Remembrance

Jack O. Phillabaum,
who served in the 118th for 4-5 months as the OPNs Officer, remembers;
" The "Dilbert Dunker" was actually a device hand
made by possibly the 121st Aviation Company (AML) from down in
the Delta as a result of a crew being drowned when a helicopter
landed in a river. Our wrecker operator, who was apparently new
or nervous, when lifting the device from the pool too quickly
before the water could drain out, and ripped the top off . We
had to re-weld and repair it before sending it on to another
unit for training."

Early life in the 33rd Transportation Company

1962-63

CH-21's Loading in the PZ(above)

(Photo above courtesy Jim Larson)

CH-21's Departing the PZ

Because there were no U.S. troops in Vietnam
until early 1963, the 33rd Transportation Company worked only
with the Army of Vietnam(ARVN) during the first years. They usually
supported the 5th and 10th ARVN Divisions teaching and flying
their troop units in air mobile operations. This photo very clearly
shows the lack of interest and urgency very often shown by the
ARVN's that many of the 33rd pilots expressed concern about. They
appear to be sitting around all bunched up and not very concerned
about tactics or the enemy. They are more interested in watching
the H-21's as they depart the LZ over the distant rubber plantation.(62)

This two photos above are official U.S. Army
Photos.

(Photo courtesy Martin Lehotay)

Remembrance of "Duke" DuShane

C. Joseph "Duke"
DuShane remembers this interesting story about the early days
in the H-21's: "It seems several H-21's upon returning from
a mission had landed at the 118th helipad. The crews were doing
after flight checks to see if they had any damage from the mission,
When low and behold one of the H-21's had an arrow from a crossbow
sticking in the under-belly of the aircraft. Everyone had a good
laugh and forgot about it. Well, a couple weeks later, the very
same H-21 was setting down in a rice paddy when one of the wheels
hit the dike and the aircraft fell over on its side. When this
was reported to the TOC some quick thinking wit loudly proclaimed
that 'the poison from that arrow finally got to the engine'!
Needless to say this story was retold every time a new member
joined the unit. True story!!"

Because the 33rd Trans. Co. compound was
on the Bien Hoa Air base, this was a good mode of transportation
to get to the flight line. According to those who were there,
the bicycles were purchased in Bien Hoa. Pilots, unknown.

CW2 Donald R. Houston playing with "Tuffy"
the original tiger mascot of the 93rd Transportation Co. They
were known as the "Soc Trang Tigers".Note the red "33"
ball cap worn by these early guys instead of official US Army
caps. Also, note the personally altered fatigues and high visibility
name tags and patches.

Interesting Trivia

August 18, 1964 was the day the last CH-21C
flew in Vietnam. CWO Charles D. Holbrook from the 120th Aviation
Company flew the last CH-21C from Saigon to Vung Tau to be transported
back to the United States on that date.